Bonds Has Surgery on Left Knee

Barry Bonds underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee yesterday and is expected to be at full strength when the Giants open spring training in February.

The slugger underwent a 20-minute arthritis cleanup procedure performed by San Jose Sharks team physician Art Ting.

Bonds, 40, told the team he first felt pain Oct. 4, the day after the season ended, and he didn't want the injury to affect his offseason training.

Giants trainer Stan Conte said it would take three to six weeks for Bonds to rehabilitate the knee and he should be able to resume working out in November.

"His cartilage inside the knee was perfect," Conte said. "This was simple wear and tear that was an irritant to him."

* PROCEDURE FOR SHEETS: Brewers RHP Ben Sheets had surgery to repair a herniated disk in his lower back and is expected to be ready for spring training.

Sheets had a microscopic lumbar discectomy, a 30-minute procedure that was performed by Drew Dossett in Dallas, GM Doug Melvin said.

* NO ROOM FOR LARKIN: Barry Larkin, 40, will not be offered another contract by the Reds, ending his 19-year career with his hometown team. The shortstop said he was informed of the team's decision in a phone call earlier in the day.